Winning in the rain

Metal Sparks reports...

Collectively, the Under 13s (parents, players and coaches) responded to last week’s poor performance in the best way possible. Challenged by what we may now call “Edenbridge” weather (for our last visit as Under 9s had very similar conditions) the squad “turned up” in every sense. On a foul, wet and cold morning, when it must have been very tempting to call in with apologies, 26 of our squad were raring to go: I suspect before some of the home team were even out of their beds.

For various reasons, Edenbridge could only field 12 players and so three Beccs boys volunteered (were volunteered) to don the black and gold. Kunley, Josh and Drew in the first half along with Henry, Toby and Ben D in the second half should all take a big pat on the back for the honesty and effort they put into their performances against their own team mates.

Our strongest team started and the knowledge that this was surely a weakened Edenbridge team had no effect on our players. They went for it, from the off. The bar of soap that had replaced the ball was spilt, dropped and squirted by both sides, yet at no time in the first 10 minutes did it ever seem likely that the stubbornness, will-power and commitment of the Beccs boys would ever let Edenbridge any where near their touch line let alone concede a try.

Edenbridge + 3 were certainly no walkover and they were well organised and had some very competent players but they could not hold the Beccs tidal wave that kept crashing against them.
Adjusting to the slimy wet, the Beccs backs shortened their passes so that instead of fumbles and slips we produced gaps in the Bridge defence. So it was a drive and good rucking by the forwards in one corner of the Bridge 22 that put top try scorer Jed on the end of a simple (through the hands) move almost under the posts. After last weeks “nul points” this was an extremely relieving sight - as was the conversion. Within ten minutes Jed was at it again with a similar move. This time the defence had been completely scattered or sucked in and Ben D appeared to be going over directly under the posts (8 yards out and one man to beat) yet he unselfishly risked the wet ball pass out to Jed who with no-one to beat ran further away from the posts to score out wide. The conversion was missed.

Now Beccs were rampant and again came knocking on the Bridge try line. Heroic last ditch tackling was keeping us at bay but it couldn’t last. A strong run and step by Ben D, again very central, set up a series of rucks that saw our forwards successfully resist Bridge countering and eventually Toby crashed over for a well deserved try almost under the posts. The conversion duly followed. Despite Beccs dominance Edenbridge remained strong in their defence and the scorers were not troubled again in the first half. Some great “picking and going” by Henry (who was revelling in the conditions) and an ever so slightly sideways charge from Bertie continued the general theme. Half time:- Edenbridge 0 - Beccs 19

With personnel changes in the second half, it was Edenbridge who hit the ground running or at least it was Henry who, now wearing Edenbridge colours, caught Beccs slightly unorganised and off their guard, scored a typical opportunist try. This was followed by a 60 metre run in from the very quick Edenbridge winger but Ben Mc managed to keep him out wide and they failed to convert either of these tries. Beccs started to settle and found their earlier confidence. A crushing run by Taiga set up advancing rucks and mauls until eventually a mystery Beccs hand grounded the ball for a try. Strangely, no one has yet claimed this try or claimed to know who scored it. All the usual suspects have denied knowledge. It remains unclaimed and unconverted.

Ben S then scored his own try for Beccs, and converted the same: a grubber kick and then a hack kick before pushing the defender to fall on the ball (very Football). The Beccs coaches continued to change players around trying to give game time to all and yet keep everyone warm. In the main, the team kept its shape throughout showing that the depth of the squad and the emerging players are all in fine fettle. Edenbridge had the last say with a well taken try out wide but, whilst it brought respect to the second half score board, it did not suggest that Beccs were tiring or ever looking like they might lose control of the overall game.

Final Whistle Edenbridge 15 - Beccs 31

Pride in the shirt and squad restored. The result may have little meaning in the overall picture, but this was a great win for rugby and the Beccs under 13s squad.